GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board has hired Alicia Ralph as a human rights and equity advisor.
Ralph will provide counsel and advice to the board for all matters regarding human rights. This includes:
– developing a human rights policy;
– supporting reviews of existing board policies;
– supporting implementation of provisions included in collective agreements, the Education Act, Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The advisor aims to enhance and expand “cultures of respect for human rights and equity, and championing the identification and elimination of systemic barriers,” board officials say.
Ralph currently serves as the system equity officer for the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board. In this role, she works to address human rights and equity for students and staff, promoting system-level and organizational change, officials say.
Ralph has experience as a social worker, as well as supervising social work students at the Toronto Metropolitan University.
Ralph has a Master’s degree in health management from McMaster University, a Master’s degree in social work from York University as well as certificates in education and human rights from Osgoode Law School and in transformational leadership in equity, diversity, and belonging from Humber College.
The human rights and equity advisor will have a significant impact on the future of the UGDSB, officials say. As a member of the executive committee, Ralph will aim to foster a system culture free of harassment and discrimination, and provide strategic advice for the committee and board on all matters related to human rights.
One of her first tasks, officials say, will be to lead the work on establishing a UGDSB human rights policy and corresponding procedures.
Ralph will begin her role in the UGDSB on Aug. 21.
